24-Apr-2011 -- This confluence point is conveniently located close to the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard as it winds its way through the peninsula of the Point Reyes National Seashore, and just a few kilometers from the Point Reyes Lighthouse. As such, the confluence point can easily be included in a visit to the lighthouse and other attractions in this National Park.

Driving north on Highway 1, we turned left just before Point Reyes Station and followed the road to Inverness. After stopping there for refreshments, we continued past the various ranch settlements leading towards the far southwest corner of the peninsula. Just beyond the last settlement (identified simply as Ranch A), the road forks, with the left fork heading towards Chimney Rock. Following the right fork towards the lighthouse, the road climbs uphill, and 600 m beyond the junction we parked on the verge where a track heads off to the right. From where we parked, the confluence point lay about 430 m to the north.

We walked along the level track for a distance of about 150 m, then turned off to the right and headed though some undulating rough pasture. Cattle were grazing in the area, and although we kept our distance, we were not able to avoid stepping in the cow dung that had been left behind. About 320 m after leaving the track, we reached the confluence point, located on a downward slope heading towards a pond.

After taking the necessary photographs to record our successful visit, we retraced our steps back to the car, walking past the curious cattle and stepping in yet more cow dung. Following a five minute shoe cleaning exercise back at the car, we continued along the road to the car park and paid a visit to the lighthouse.

On the return journey from Point Reyes, it became apparent that a shorter walk to the confluence point may be possible by parking about 300 m before the point where we stopped. Looking at a map afterwards, the walk would probably be about 100 m shorter over less hilly terrain. However, it’s not clear whether the amount of cow dung encountered on this approach would be less or more.